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Podcast Episode

Brianna & Jasper James: I Thought I Failed Them

The Michael James Way··9 September 2026·53 min

About this episode

Michael has told the story of riding his bicycle across the United States dozens of times. He had never asked his kids what that summer was like for them.In this episode Brianna and Jasper James answer the questions their dad has been avoiding for almost 20 years. What the divorce felt like at seven and nine. What it was like to lose the house, move into a friend's basement, and sleep on an air mattress and a couch for three years. Whether they knew he was broke. Whether they were embarrassed.Their answer stopped him cold. They do not remember the air mattress. They remember the bedtime stories, the basketball, the duct taped remote control airplane that nose dived into a tree on Christmas, and a dad who was there.Also in this one: the six month rule Michael set before introducing anyone he was dating to his kids, the phone that ended up in the fireplace, why he hid acorns in their backpacks, and the moment on a boat when he realized Brianna had been listening the whole time.The Michael James Way is a conversation about building things that last. Businesses, homes, bodies, families. Hosted by Michael James, founder of Michael James Remodeling.